Dog Obedience, An Essential Part Of A Dog’s Life
Dogs are obviously not humans. They live each day in their own ways. They don’t possess the same intellect like we do. But the best thing about dogs is that they can be our best friend, and at times can be more affectionate than our human friends. They may display a variety of animal characteristics but they can be trained, primarily because they have a sense of obedience.
For an owner, dog obedience is an essential aspect of the dog that’s why the animal is perhaps the most common domestic pet for centuries now. The healthy connection between the dog and the owner is basically facilitated by the animal’s obedience, and this characteristic the dog possesses allows people to train the animal. As the training period proceeds, the owner does not just train the dog but also strengthens his or her relationship with the animal. What is usually implanted in the memory of the dog are the rewarding and desirable behaviors or acts, and if the animal does otherwise, it is punished. Training the dog to act and react like a human being will make the owner feel secure about leaving the animal at home. Usually the training revolves around the daily household routine except of course if the owner wants more than that.
Dog obedience in a puppy is very much needed because puppies always have this eager tendency to tear and rip apart anything in the house or even outside. You would not want your living room and kitchen to look like a garbage truck. Another unpleasant thing that can likely happen is that the dog will discharge its waste anywhere if it’s not trained. Because of dog obedience that makes the animal highly trainable and submissive, you don’t have to worry about such occurrences.
The most basic training an owner should do to his dog is to give the animal lessons on communication. This means that the owner has to give certain commands and condition the dog to obey or follow. The usual commands are on making the dog sit, come, and stay. To enhance the dog’s obedience, the owner should say such commands aloud and clearly. In this way the animal will be able to distinguish between commands and not misinterpret the owner and do something else instead. The commands should also be said repeatedly by the owner during the dog’s training period. Making the animal remember the commands often sharpens its memory, and eventually makes the process of achieving obedience faster.
There are also cases in which the dog is hostile and aggressive. In situations like this, the owner should instill obedience on the animal in a more authoritarian way. You would not want your dog to chase and violently attack any visitor at home. Dogs in this case will have to be convinced in a harsh manner that you are the king and the animal is just subordinate, and disobedience means no rewards.
Like children, dogs are motivated by the rewards that the owner gives. The level of the animal’s obedience and affection depends on the treatment of the owner. It is therefore important that the owner gives an appropriate reward for a specific task done remarkably. Material rewards, especially food, give the dog better satisfaction.
Have a great “dog training” day,
Dr. Alfonso
